How much you could pay in future for car parking in Cambridge as trader issues warning over proposed hikes

Concerns have been raised that proposed increases for parking charges at Cambridge City Council’s car parks could damage local businesses.

The increases would see prices rise by between about 10 and 28 per cent at all the council-owned car parks.

An hour in the Grand Arcade or Park Street car parks on weekdays will cost £3.60 under the plans, up 50p, while two hours will set you back £7.20, up £1.10.

At the weekend, you’ll pay £4.60 for an hour, up £1, or £9.20, up £2, for two hours. Stay for five hours at the weekend and you’ll need to pay £36.10.

At Grafton East or Grafton West, you would pay £3 for an hour on weekdays, up 40p, £6 for two hours, up £1, while at the weekend it will be £3.90 for an hour, up 70p. £7.80 for two hours, up £1.60, or £33 for five, up £2.20.

At Queen Anne Terrace car park, the proposed rise for one hour on weekdays is from £1.70 to £2.30. The proposed rise for an hour at weekends is from £2.30 to £3.

The local authority also proposes to reinstate evening and overnight charges of up to £1.50 an hour from 6pm at four multi-storey car parks: Grand Arcade, Park Street, Grafton East, Grafton West.

This change follows a two-year period where evening and overnight parking was free, aimed at aiding the recovery of the evening economy post-Covid restrictions.

Vanessa Burkitt, managing director of independent jeweller Catherine Jones, which is on Bridge Street, said: “I think it’s folly and especially damaging for the local businesses in the historic core of centre of the city, who are largely run by local managers who own the business.

“It’s very damaging to us after having no car park for two years. We have only just seen the Park Street car park reopen for our customers, and now the price is going up straight away. This is allegedly a council that supports local business but the result of all that they’re doing is to torpedo local businesses. Is this part of a concerted effort by the council to stop motor cars coming into Cambridge at all?”

She is now offering customers 10 per cent off their purchases, up to a limit of £33, if they can show a car park ticket for any of the city centre car parks, in a bid to prevent customers being put off coming to the city centre.

Increases are also proposed at the surface car parks at Adam and Eve Street, Castle Hill, Gwydir Street and Riverside, and at Lammas Land.

Season tickets for businesses could be hiked by £200-£220.

Cllr Katie Thornburrow, executive councillor for planning, building control and infrastructure, said: “Whilst the council understands that driving often is a preferred or more convenient method of travel, we also have to take into account the negative impact cars and congestion have on the city.

“There are alternative and more sustainable routes into and around the city like the Park & Ride, which is an affordable alternative into Cambridge – not to mention that if we reduced congestion it would make for a much quicker and smoother journey for everyone.

“The proposals being consulted on have been designed with the purpose of supporting the council’s commitments to improving air quality and encouraging sustainable modes of travel to help meet our climate objectives. This all contributes towards having a greener and healthier city.

“In addition, local authorities across the country are facing an impossible challenge of keeping within our budgets, without jeopardising essential services that people rely on, while our operating costs continue to rise faster than our income.”

Feedback from the consultation that ended last Wednesday will be presented to the executive councillor for planning, building control and infrastructure to decide on the level of car parking charges and any changes that may be required to the charging tariffs.

Proposed car park pricing changes will be included within the budget setting report submitted to the full council on 24 February, 2025.